March 14, 2013

A Little Tour

I was tapped recently or, more specifically, "tagged" by my friend Dana Sullivan to keep the ball rolling on what is called "The Next Big Thing" -- a blog tour aiming to raise awareness of authors and their work. It started in Australia and has now gone international.  
Here's how it works:
Authors answer ten questions about their new, next, most recent picture book/novel/collection/whatever before tagging a few authors who agree to do the same thing one week later. Then author participants spread the word through Facebook, Twitter, and other online venues.
    
The debut of HENNY is still a little way away, but I thought this would be a good opportunity to give her a little shout out. Brace yourselves--when the book IS released (February, 2014), you will all be hearing about it...ad nauseum ;)

So here goes:
Sneak peek at the cover:
(cover design by the inimitable Lucy Ruth Cummins!)

1) What is the working title of your next book?
      um...HENNY?  ;)

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
      A couple of years ago, I started drawing birds with arms.  I think it all began with Herr Vogel:
     A few months later, my first version of Henny appeared.  She has obviously morphed :)
  I remember at the time, I just thought a bird with arms was funny.  

3) What genre does your book fall under? 
      HENNY is a picture book.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
       Daniel Day Lewis would play everyone.  I think he could handle it, don't you?
  
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
      From the announcement in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "HENNY tells the tale of a young chick who is born just a little different from everyone else in the barn, and learns how to use her special gift to come into her own."  
       
6) Who is publishing your book?
     Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
      This is hard to answer because I think HENNY really evolved over a year or so.  However, when I actually sat down, I think I pulled the first book dummy together in a morning.  My amazing agent, Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary and Media, weighed in with a few suggestions, and then HENNY was born!  

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
      HENNY is a strong character-driven story perhaps in the spirit of the incomparable OLIVIA or Paul Schmid's incredibly beguiling  HUGS FROM PEARL .

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
      Henny did.  She made me do it ;)

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
       If the reader's interest isn't piqued by a chicken with arms, then I'm not sure what will.  

Now for the fun part--
Here are two talented author/illustrators I've tagged...so be sure and look for their blog posts next week!

Courtney Pippin-Mathur 



73 comments:

  1. With ten great nieces and nephews ages 4 months to 12 I am always looking for future books for I Am The Book Aunt (I have a cape and super powers and everything :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Henny is clapping her tiny hands in delight! Hooray for the super Book Aunt!

      Delete
  2. Hooray for Henny!! What a cute chick!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy! Thanks so much-- and you sure know cute, since you do it so well with your illustrations :)

      Delete
  3. PERFECT cover!!! I am so looking forward to reading this story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Carin! I was so thrilled when Lucy sent it to me. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. As a fan of "Olivia," this seems like it'd be right up my alley. Best of luck pushing this forward, and I'm excited to see it when it's out. Congrats, Elizabeth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mauricio! I can only hope HENNY can measure up, even slightly, to OLIVIA :)

      Delete
  5. I like the cover: simple but with taste. Great that Henny become world famous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I certainly hope HENNY will become world famous :) I'm glad you like the cover. I have a very talented art director.

      Delete
  6. I am so excited for you, and I can't wait to high five HENNY on the cover! :) :) :) Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations Elizabeth... SO cute! (like all of your characters are) Can't wait to see more of HENNY. Please keep us posted when it is released so we can order the new book!!! :) -Kelli

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beth, I am still smiling! I enjoyed this post so much!It sounds like Henny has you wrapped around her little claw ... oops! finger! I am really looking forward to seeing more of Henny, and reading about her book debut. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks K.-- I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Trust me, you will hear more! :)
      Thanks, as ever, for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. This is so exciting! I can't wait for February!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and be both, R.! Thanks for keeping tabs on us :)

      Delete
  10. Number four made me smile. :)

    I am so, so happy to see Henny on her way to her big debut. I'm with rcw -- this is so exciting!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you got a smile, S. I get excited, then I forget about it for a while, then I get excited again... I'm feeling a little nutty ;) Hope you are fine xo

      Delete
  11. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. THis is monumental my dear, for YOU ARE NOW A PUBLISHED AUTHOR and artist, and I could not be more happy. BRAVO...you deserve it...goes to show you we must listen to those little creatures that tug at us every single day!

    BRAVO HENNY! I cannot wait to buy this book and say, "I KNOW THE ARTIST!"

    Thank you precious one, for coming to my post. Oh, let me tell you, I have a big closet to clean out! Anita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes I can't get those little creatures to be quiet. They all seem to talk at once ;) xo Henny sends hugs!
      PS I'll bet your closets are gorgeous...

      Delete
  12. Henny IS world famous! I can't wait to get a copy of my own! It's so very exciting. Axxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well...I certainly hope she WILL be, Annie. You are so sweet to say so! Thank you!

      Delete
  13. Henny is going to be a star. A STAR, I tell you, a STAR! And absolutely, Daniel Day Lewis. Just don't let that Johnny Depp do it. He'll take her in a totally different direction. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bella-- hahahaha... I think you are right about Johnny Depp, and I certainly hope you will be right about Miss Henny. :)

      Delete
  14. Can't *wait* for Henny to debut! Looks like a book our little Tyler will enjoy reading ad nauseum. He's good at that, reading his favorite books over and over again. I first noticed that behavior from him when he was 18 months old and wanted me to read "10 Little Zombies" to him over and over...and over again. At least he has good taste in books! Heh...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't wait for a critical review from Tyler! I suspect all that repetitive reading must have made you feel a bit like a zombie ;)

      Delete
  15. Wow! Henny! You are gonna be one famous chick!
    Elizabeth, your work is wonderful, so happy for you and Henny xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ha ha...what a wonderful interview!!! You've captured me...I can't wait for Henny!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh, my dear Henny is on the cover! If your agent wouldn't be able to get 'yes' from Daniel Day Lewis, I might be able to negotiate with our chicken queen, Pumpkin. ; )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I love that you have a chicken named Pumpkin! Henny thinks she's a queen, so it sounds like Pumpkin will fit the bill :)

      Delete
  18. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Henny!!!!! So incredible excited and proud Beth. Congrats and yippee!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lori! And of course you know how excited I am about MAPLE!!

      Delete
  19. A new angle on chick-lit, Elizabeth! It must be really exciting for you. I shall get a copy for my youngest granddaughter!

    Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I understand absolutely about Henny made me do it. And yes, who wouldn't be intrigued by a hen with arms?. Daniel Day Lewis? Please post shots of him in the costume when you get them! Lol!

    ReplyDelete
  21. WHOO HOO!! I am so excited for you!! Can't wait to see more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't worry, Michelle...you will! ;) Thanks so much.

      Delete
  22. nice to read some more about Henny, I'm curious after the book :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. great job Elizabeth - i really liked the interview and i am curious to know more about henny's new feature :D
    thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Henny is excited to share her little story...

      Delete
  24. Can't wait for the book to come out!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow! How exciting to have your own book! You are so clever and Henny is really cute! I would love to have a doll of her :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Rebecca! I will surely let you know if and when they make a HENNY doll! She would be fun to hold hands with ;)

      Delete
  26. Wonderful, wonderful! it is this time of the year for new books on the shelves, isn’t it? congratulations, i love the cover can’t wait to discover more. xo sandra

    ReplyDelete
  27. Slightly simple questions with excellent answers nevertheless.

    I want a copy of the book, signed by the artist, mind you.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank goodness! A little peep of info.... I don't know how long I can wait... ;) (Kind of like waiting for spring. =/)

    xxo

    From what I know of Henny, Daniel Day Lewis would be a shoe in! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Bwahahaha!!!! Love your sense of humor!! (But really, what did I expect from someone whose mind spawned a chicken with arms?!!)Looking forward to Henny's release, and hearing about it ad nauseum! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Mit! Henny clapped her hands when she read this. And, yes...she's gearing up to tell you all about her little chicken self over and over and over again ;)

      Delete
  30. Soooooooooooo exciting a whole book of Henny, can't wait! :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. That Henny cover is killer. So simple and perfect. I would HAVE to pick it up and see what's inside. You stinkin' genius!

    Daniel Day Lewis might consider the role. He likes the kind of challenges that portraying a chicken might pose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can see it now...Henny's little arms stretched out to help DDL accept his award for best actor in HENNY- THE MOVIE ;) Thanks, TB. You always make me smile :)

      Delete
  32. Congrats! The cover has a beautiful, clean design, the font is perfect, and the whole thing really sets off your character in a great, inviting way. It's gonna be a big hit!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh my beak & feathers! I missed this before but major congratulations! Henny deserves to be a star. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm already hooked! Looking forward to reading this!

    ReplyDelete

I truly appreciate your comments.
I try and reply, so be sure and come back!